The Candidates Respond: Jim Doyle, Democrat

Wisconsin Week: The University of Wisconsin has been described as an economic engine for the state. What do you believe are the three greatest economic benefits it brings?

Jim Doyle: The University of Wisconsin provides unique opportunities for citizens from all walks of life to earn a higher education and, as a result, contribute in numerous ways to our economy and the earning power of our state. The UW’s research and ideas are creating high-end job growth and driving Wisconsin’s 21st- century economy. This research, from stem cells to biotechnology to agriculture, is bringing in new talent, millions of dollars in grant funding, and is creating new, spin-off companies in Wisconsin. The expertise of UW researchers and our high-quality workforce are also leading existing companies to relocate here.

WW: Currently the state contributes about 19 percent to UW–Madison’s overall budget. What’s your position on future state support for UW–Madison?

JD: When I took office, I inherited a $3.2 billion deficit — the worst deficit in the state’s history. While we were forced to make extremely difficult decisions to balance the budget, we have been able to successfully balance two budgets without raising taxes. At the same time, we’ve also been able to double financial aid, include new funding for faculty retention, Alzheimer’s research and the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. Now that I have put the state budget back on track and we are on more solid financial footing, I am prepared to make a more significant reinvestment in the University of Wisconsin.

WW: How do you plan to address the issue of higher- education affordability for Wisconsin residents?

JD: I’ve worked hard to make college more affordable for middle-class and working families. I’ve doubled financial aid for UW students, increased the maximum higher-education grant award, and increased the tuition tax deduction. Now, I am calling on the regents to limit tuition so that it does not rise faster than inflation. I have also established the Wisconsin Covenant, a program that will ensure that students who pledge to maintain a B average in challenging classes, and stay out of trouble, are guaranteed a spot in higher education and can afford a higher education.

WW: What is your position on the status of future embryonic stem-cell research in Wisconsin?

JD: My mother recently passed away from Parkinson’s, so I understand the importance and the promise of stem-cell research. Wisconsin already has the finest stem-cell researchers in the nation, and I am fighting for major investments, including the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, that will not only support the next wave of research, but bring new, job-producing industries to Wisconsin. Unlike my opponent, I fully support stem-cell research, and I will never turn my back on so many families in Wisconsin who are struggling with disability or disease and could benefit from the vast promise of this research.

WW: What do you believe are the three greatest challenges facing UW–Madison?

JD: UW–Madison must continue to strike the right balance between its critical mission as a research university and an economic driver of this state, while ensuring that students also come first. The UW must continue to work to recruit and retain the best faculty and academic staff so that we can remain at the very top. We need to do everything we can to make the great academic offerings of UW–Madison affordable and accessible to deserving students, of all economic backgrounds. And at the same time continue to lead the way as an economic engine for Wisconsin in areas such as bio tech and stem-cell research.